The inscrutable native permit system aside, IMO one needs to respect other cultures, even if you are Texan. Perhaps that is the reason you find so many of Shiprock's features "unphotographed".
Many years ago I self supported solo through Desolation/Gray Canyons on the Green River, mostly run by hordes of squealing tourist commercial rubber. The printed river map indicated that much of one bank was tribal land (Uinta Ute, if I remember correctly) and landing was not allowed without permit. The only problem is that, although tribal permitting agencies were listed, no one running the river had apparently ever been successful in actually obtaining a permit, no matter how far in advance. 3 days into my 5 day trip, I found none of the BLM bank side springs to be running and began drinking from the river itself. As I approached the tribal side, I noticed someone wandering about at marked permanent spring, and eddied out. Still in my boat, I got his attention and explained my predicament. He said I was free to use any of their springs and to hike anywhere I wished on tribal land. But here's the freaky part. He said that I had been watched all along the river and that my presence had already been noted, that no one would bother me. Having not seen a soul on the tribal side, and having seen perhaps too many westerns, it did bring to mind the possibility of unseen arrows whizzing above my head.
Somehow, for me at least, this parable seemed to suggest something in value akin to a lack of entitlement and mutual respect.
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